Wikisource:WikiProject Film/Intertitles from GeoCities/Martyrs of the Alamo

Martyrs of the Alamo 1 [reconstructed main title?] Martyrs of the Alamo

or

"The Birth   of Texas"

2 An historical drama suggested by the crisis in Mexico, 1835 to 1836, and the immortal fall of the Alamo, which ultimately resulted in Texas becoming an independent republic and later the largest state of our union.

3       Story Arrangement by W. Christy Cabanne and Theodosia Harris Directed by W. Christy Cabanne

4 The immediate cause of the Texas Revolution. _______

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, elected president of Mexico in 1833, was shortly declared Dictator by his army, ignoring the constitution of Mexico of 1824, which provided for a republican form of government.

5 Liberty-loving Americans who had built up the Texas colony were denied their rights by Santa Anna. They demanded that Mexico should return to the Constitution of 1824, and that Texas should have a state government.

Santa Anna crossed the border to crush this dangerous spirit of revolution.

6 But Santa Anna had failed to reckon with the undaunted valor of the hardy American pioneers of that age--an age that wrote large on the pages of history the names of Crockett, Bowie, Travis, Dickinson, Houston and "Silent" Smith.

7 Santa Anna's quarters near San Antonio, Texas, inside the chapel of the Alamo, a former Spanish mission converted into a fortress--a settlers' refuge in case of hostility. _______

Despotic and vain, he was called "The Napoleon of the West" and aped the great French Emperor even to his dress.

Santa Anna. .  .   .   .   Walter Long

8           In San Antonio. ________

Under the dictator's rule the honor and life of American womanhood was held in contempt. ________

Continued insults of Santa Anna's troops caused constant rebellion among the few American colonists.

9 An old Irish patriot of the War of 1812.

10 Memories of the days when the stars and stripes gave them the right to protection.

11 In those heroic times no man worked more for the cause of independence than the famous guide and spy, "Silent" Smith.

"Silent" Smith. .  Sam De Grasse

12 The wife of Lieut. A. M. Dickinson annoyed by a petty officer of the garrison.

13 Chivalrous Tennesseean blood was up. _______

Lieut. Dickinson threatened to avenge the insult by making an example of the offender.

Lieut. Dickinson. . Fred Burns

14 Brought to the Alamo before Santa Anna, who was awaiting other excuses to provoke the Americans.

15 As a result Santa Anna decreed that all Americans must be disarmed and surrender all weapons of war.

16 Meanwhile, James Bowie and David Crockett, resolved to stand by the cause, waited with other patriots the next move of Santa Anna.

James Bowie. . .  Alfred Paget David Crockett. . .  A. D. Sears

17 Bowie, the inventor of the famous hunting knife, in good-natured contention with Crockett, known for his sure aim.

18 "You might tickle a fellow's ribs a long time with this little instrument and never make him laugh."

19 Santa Anna's proclamation for the surrender of arms posted.

20 The troops were to make a search of every American home.

21 "I am surprised, Crockett, the floor     has not been fixed before this."

22 Silent Smith came to reassure his lady-love.

23 END OF PART ONE

24 THE MARTYRS OF  THE ALAMO

Part Two

25 "Wait until that fox,          Santa Anna, leaves."

26 Bowie and his comrades now obliged to keep within doors to save themselves from insult.

27 Believing the small band of Americans were now overawed, Santa Anna left San Antonio in charge of a small garrison under General Cos.

28 Santa Anna out of the way, Silent Smith put his plan into execution.

29 The storming of San Antonio by the Americans the first effective blow struck for Texas' independence.

30 Beaten back into the Alamo.

31 The Americans' magnanimity. _______

The commanding officer, General Cos, was allowed to depart with his sword, provided he never take up arms against Texas.

32 Under the new regime.

33 Santa Anna hearing of the capture of San Antonio vowed he would never rest until Texas was crushed.

34 Because at San Antonio the Mexicans had received their first disgraceful defeat, here Santa Anna resolved to strike the first blow.

35 A rival faction among the Texans. ______

General Travis with his staff was sent by General Houston to take command of the garrison, replacing Bowie, now stricken with a dangerous illness.

36 Crockett reminded them they were all fighting for one cause-- Texas.

37 Silent Smith informed them of Santa Anna's intended attack.

38 They resolved in the name of liberty never to surrender. _____ Using the Alamo for a fortress, the handful of American heroes proceeded to arm it with the only three available guns, against the approach of Santa Anna's numerous army.

39 The inhabitants retired inside the Alamo.

40 On the 22nd of February, 1836, Santa Anna arrived suddenly outside San Antonio.

41 Santa Anna at once sent a courier demanding an unconditional surrender.

42 Santa Anna's message to Travis. _______

"If you refuse to surrender the   Alamo, every man shall be     put to the sword."

43 "If Santa Anna wants the Alamo,         let him come and take it."

44 Learning of the Texans' defiance instead of their expected surrender, Santa Anna formed his troops for immediate assault.

45 Meanwhile, at the Texas Convention, many miles away, General Sam Houston signed the declaration of Texas' in- dependence of Mexico.

Sam Houston. .  .   Tom Wilson

[[ 45a [missing title] END OF PART TWO

45b [missing title] THE MARTYRS OF  THE ALAMO

Part Three ]]

46 Inside the Alamo on the first day's fight. ______

Crockett because of his sure aim was placed in command of the wall.

47 On every side the Mexican troops closed in upon the Alamo.

48 At a nearby adobe hut Santa Anna expectantly awaited the fall of the Alamo.

49 On the morning of the tenth day. _______

Travis told his men death was inevitable in the Alamo, but escape or surrender was possible.

He had waited vainly hoping for reinforcements.

50 "Those who wish to die like heroes and patriots, cross this line to me."

51 Even Bowie, now near death, accepted.

52 Again came the onslaught of the Mexicans.

53 Later in the day Travis, declaring he would hold out or perish, sent Silent Smith to General Houston with a last call for reinforcement.

54 The last farewell.

55 The secret underground passage.

56 At this point in the siege four thousand reinforcements joined Santa Anna.

57 Silent Smith brought the news of the siege to Houston who had set out for the Alamo in defiance of the Texas Convention.

58 For a time, Crockett's unerring rifle kept the enemy from planting their artillery.

59 END OF PART THREE

60 THE MARTYRS OF  THE ALAMO

Part Four

61 The young rivals still contended-- the Bowie or Travis men--which were the bravest.

62 The underground passage into the Alamo discovered.

63 Unable to realize the full danger of the Alamo, Houston made a slow advance to save the resources of his men.

64 The cannon in position to break the wall, Santa Anna ordered the cavalry to the rear to force his fast rebelling troops through the Alamo's walls.

65 The Mexicans, bleeding and wounded, dared not hesitate. The lances of the cavalry forced them on.

66 While the flag of the Mexican republic still unfurled to the breeze.

67 Death and Santa Anna held the Alamo, but before each patriot's death, many a foe had fallen.

68 After the struggle, the Dictator of Mexico entered San Antonio and the Alamo in triumph.

69 In keeping with Santa Anna's character certain prisoners were spared.

70 But the few remaining male prisoners were shot as rebels.

71 The release of Mrs. Dickinson.

72 "Go tell the rebellious ones          what happens to traitors."

73 The terrible news reached Houston but a day's march from the Alamo.

74 Houston deemed the more prudent plan to go onward to San Jacinto and there await the arrival of Santa Anna.

75 An inveterate drug fiend, the Dictator of Mexico also famous for his shameful orgies.

76 END OF PART FOUR

77 THE MARTYRS OF  THE ALAMO

Part Five

78 Sent out to spy on the enemy, Silent Smith, posing as a deaf mute, became game hunter for Santa Anna's forces.

79 While Santa anna planned the complete subjugation of Texas.

80 Suspicious of his claim to deafness.

81 With the full liberty of the camp, Silent Smith found not only valuable facts but also his sweetheart.

82 Reaching Houston's camp near San Jacinto, Silent Smith reported the demoralized state of Santa Anna's troops.

83 While the Mexicans indulged in their afternoon siesta.

84 General Houston set out to avenge the fall of the Alamo.

85  The battle of San Jacinto. ______

A cry of vengeance burst from every Texan: "Remember the Alamo!"

86 In about twenty minutes the battle was won. ______

Houston having fallen with a broken leg was obliged to receive the prisoners under a mammoth oak.

87 While the more violent would have killed Santa Anna, Houston saw he must live for the future of Texas.

88 And thus on May 14, 1836, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of Mexico, signed the treaty, acknowledging Texas free and independent.

89 While some hearts felt the coming joys of future years.

90 The sole surviving widow could not forget at what a price came victory.

91 but on the martyrdom of those fallen heroes was built the "Lone Star State." ______

The flags of Texas.

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